Handle for lunch boxes



y 30, 1 J. A. FLAMONDON 3,321,798

HANDLE FOR LUNCH BOXES Filed May 18, 1965 I Fig.3 i

20 g2 36 3924 36 go 5 2 m I g I n I r I I Jacques A. P/amondan IN V E N T0 R United States Patent 3,321,798 HANDLE FOR LUNCH BOXES Jacques A. Plamontlon, 987 S. York St., Denver, Colo. 80209 Filed May 18, 1965, Ser. No. 456,694 Claims. (Cl. 16--114) The present invention relates to container handles but has reference, somewhat more particularly stated, to a lightweight but strong and durable handgrip which is expressly, though not necessarily, functionally designed and structurally adapted for use on and in conjunction with lunch boxes such as are in common use.

More specifically, the handgrip herein disclosed pertains to a replacement type handgrip which is not only comfortable to hold and handle but is unique in that the respective end portions are such that they can be readily applied and removed.

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of the invention a simple longitudinally curved handgrip, not unlike lunch box grips and handles which are currently being used is provided. However, and on the other hand it is distinct and different from commonly used handgrips in that it is susceptible of being aptly and satisfactorily mass produced from an appropriate grade of moldable plastic material, is accordingly colorful but better achieves the purposes for which it is intended by reason of the fact that it is substantially T-shaped in cross-section to provide the grip proper and to define a lengthwise rib on the underneath or bottom side, said rib being provided with longitudinally spaced right angularly disposed reinforcing as well as ventilating fins.

Each end of the handgrip has a narrowed return-bent portion which has a terminal re-entrant bend directed toward the rib and terminating in cooperative relation therewith and defining an elongated loop, a loop which lends itself to the attachment thereto of the usual spaced ends of the split-links which are customarily provided on the cover or equivalent portion of the lunch box.

To the improved end result desired, the re-entrant or terminal end portion of each link attaching loop is spaced from the adjacent end fins and also spaced from the underneath surface of the grip proper so as to provide entrance-exit openings which make it possible to insert the spaced ends of the handle attaching loops to facilitate the steps of either attaching or detaching the links or, vice versa, connecting the handgrip to the already attached lunch box links.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective showing a fragmentary portion of a conventional type lunch box, showing the cover with the customary split-type handle or handgrip attaching links and, what is more important, the improved replacement type handgrip with its specially constructed end members detachably and hingedly joined to cooperating end portions of the links;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view in side elevation showing with greater particularity the features of the improved handgrip;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of the handgrip;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-section on an enlarged scale taken on the plane of the section line 4-4 of FIG. 2 lookingin the direction of the arrows; and

*FIGURE 5 is an exploded perspective view on a scale amply large to enable the reader to ascertain how the terminal loop on the handgrip is separably and connectibly cooperable with a common form of split handle-attaching link.

Referring now to the views of the drawing and although the improved handle or handgrip is capable of use with containers other than lunch boxes it is desirable to evaluate the subject matter of the invention in relation to a somewhat conventional type lunch box such as is denoted at 6. The box shown comprises a receptacle or body portion 8, a hinged or equivalently constructed cover or lid 10 trunk-type fasteners 12, a pair of handgrip mounting and retaining and hinging links 14. Each link is of the generally elongated rectangular form shown in FIG. 5 with the attaching or hinging end joined to a boss or an equivalent mounting 16. The link is of customary split form; that is, the limb or arm portions have turned-in ends or terminals 19 which are spaced apart and which in practice are hingedly connected with end portions of a handgrip (not shown) but broadly comparable with the improved handgrip 20 herein shown. The improved handgrip is made of moldable plastic material of an appropriate grade and] is extremely lightweight but durable and presents the desired feel to the hand of the user. It comprises an elongated rectangular plate or body portion 22. In fact, and more specifically, it is approximately T-shaped in cross-section as shown in FIG. 4, the head of the T comprises the plate 22 and the stern defines an elongated centrally positioned rib 24. It will be noted in the views of the drawing, particularly FIGS. 2 and 3, that the end portions 26 of the rib terminate at points spaced inwardly from the adjacent end portions 28 of the plate. In addition, relatively narrow component parts are provided at the ends, these being fashioned into elongated adapter loops 30. It should be particularly noted that the inward end portion of each adapter loop has a re-entrant bend or bent portion 32 which is spaced from the underneath surface of the plate 22 to define not only the end portion of the loop but also an entrance and exit passage or opening 34 to accommodate the spaced terminals of the strip link 14. It will be further noted that the plate and rib portions of the handgrip are provided with longitudinally spaced segmental-shaped flanges which constitute fins 36 of the type detailed in FIG. 4 and having suitable curved marginal edges and defining pocket-lil e spaces 38 between themselves. It is further noted that the endmost fins 40 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) are spaced from the terminal bent ends 32 of the adapter loops to provide additional entrance-exit passages 42 which together with the passages 34 provide the desired exit and entrance openings for the readily attachable and detachable split-links 14.

As previously stated it is an objective in the instant matter to advance the art and to structurally and in other ways improve upon prior art adaptations one of which may, if desired, be referred to, this being the patent to Coney covering a lunch box dated Sept. 23, 1952 under No. 2,611,476. This prior patent has to do with a handle which while apparently constructed of plastic is removable. The invention herein is designed for convenience of application and is attachable to and removable from most existing lunch boxes. The ribbed handle with fins is, as is obvious from the disclosure herein given, unique and well serves the comfortable gripping and handling purposes for which it has been designed and is being successfully used. The looped ends provide unique adapters which are especially distinct in that the openings 34 and 42 provide the desired accommodation passages which make it possible to apply the split links 14 in the manner believed to be evident from the showing made in FIG. 5. It is possible to press the ends 20 into place and to then laterally shift the same to bring about the desired operating connection between the parts.

It is believed that a careful consideration of the specification in conjunction with the views. of the drawing will enable the reader to obtain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the herein disclosed invention, the features of construction, the advantages and manner of use. Accordingly, a more extended description is deemed to be unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A handgrip of the class described comprising a onepiece body embodying an elongated plate provided on an underneath surface thereof with a longitudinally extending centrally disposed reinforcing rib and provided at its end portions with link accommodating and attaching adapters, said rib being of a length less than the length of the plate and having its ends terminating inwardly of the respective end portions of said plate, said rib being provided on opposite longitudinal sides thereof with outstanding laterally disposed fins, said fins being integral with the plate and rib and being spaced from each other and defining pocket-like spaces for ventilating purposes.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 and wherein said fins are approximately segmental in form.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said link accommodating adapters comprise recess means defined at opposite end portions of said body, said recess means each including recess portions thereof opening outwardly of and extending longitudinally of opposite sides of said body, the adjacent ends of each pair of said recess portions disposed on a side of said body including inverted generally L-shaped narrow link end exit and reentrance openings, the openings at each end of said body being adapted to pass therethrough axially aligned and spaced apart end portions of an associated split link, said openings, at their inner ends, opening lengthwise of said handle into said adjacent ends of said recess portions above the lower extremities of the adjacent portions of the corresponding recess portions and open downwardly at their outer ends.

4. A readily attachable handgrip for a lunch box of a type having handle-attaching links, the links being of hinged split form, said handgrip comprising a unit characterized by an elongated plate provided on a bottom side with a longitudinal centrally disposed rib, said rib having its ends spaced from the respective end of the plate, the end portions of said plate having inturned elongated loop-like adapters, each adapter having an inner end and said inner end having a re-entrant bend which terminates from the adjacent surface of the plate and is connected to the adjacent end of the rib in a manner to define an entrance-exit opening for a split link.

5. The structure defined in claim 4 and wherein said rib is provided on opposite lengthwise sides with right angularly disposed longitudinally spaced fins, the endmost fins being spaced from the respective re-entrant terminal ends of the adapter loops and providing additional spaces of predetermined size permitting passage of the split ends of a link.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,314,799 3/1943 Piker 16-114 2,447,389 8/1948 Borchers 16-114 3,207,397 9/1965 Wilson 161 14 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD C. ALLEN, Examiner.

D. L. TROUTMAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A HANDGRIP OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED COMPRISING A ONEPIECE BODY EMBODYING AN ELONGATED PLATE PROVIDED ON AN UNDERNEATH SURFACE THEREOF WITH LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CENTRALLY DISPOSED REINFORCING RIB AND PROVIDED AT ITS END PORTIONS WITH LINK ACCOMMODATING AND ATTACHING ADAPTERS, SAID RIB BEING OF A LENGTH LESS THAN THE LENGTH OF THE PLATE AND HAVING ITS ENDS TERMINATING INWARDLY OF THE RESPECTIVE END PORTIONS OF SAID PLATE, SAID RIB BEING PROVIDED ON OPPOSITE LONGITUDINAL SIDES THEREOF WITH OUTSTANDING LATERALLY DISPOSED FINS, SAID FINS BEING INTEGRAL WITH THE PLATE AND RIB AND BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHER AND DEFINING POCKET-LIKE SPACES FOR VENTILATING PURPOSES. 